Civil Songs allegorically overcomes our problematic world at a humble mountain campsite cut off from power and communications. Its fallible characters function at a high level for a couple of days as two primary families and friends muster their disparate resources to maintain themselves and improve society. This microcosm of civilization transforms into a grand stage for enlightenment as they recount Western philosophy's evolution of freedom and self-government in order to plan practical advancement. One character learned in polity keeps their memories of history accurate as they consider their heritage. Others lead in their areas of ability which include psychic messages, Tesla's electronics, art, nursing, and aerospace. No, they don't build a flying machine, yet we see how their ideas, good will, and family devotion become a grandscape beyond apocalyptic or utopian. We get a taste of autono-vending whereby people pay only for the amount and type of government they want. A hippie days biopic illuminates a campfire discussion. Action includes a robbery, exploring by the younger set of both families, building an amphitheater, a violent injury and achieving Teslapower from nature.